This week's events

BENTON — Dr. Lonnie Harrison of Arkansas Heart Hospital will discuss heart health at 5 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. The program is part of the Well on Your Way wellness series, a partnership between the Saline County Library and Saline Memorial Hospital. No registration is required. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

Neighborhood Association Meeting

BENTON — The Ralph Bunche Neighborhood Association will meet at 6 p.m. at 1600 Dixie St. in Benton. Among other items, the agenda will include a discussion of goals and activities for 2013. Membership dues of $25 are due for all members. All who are interested in the development of the Ralph Bunche community are encouraged to attend. For more information, call (501) 315-3486.

Know Your Numbers

HOT SPRINGS — In recognition of February as American Heart Month, National Park Medical Center will hold a free heart-health event called Know Your Numbers from 7-11 a.m. The event will feature cholesterol, blood-glucose, blood-pressure and body-mass-index screenings, along with information about heart-healthy diets, cardiovascular exercise tips and the link between sleep health and heart disease. Although the event is free, space is limited, and registration is required. To register, call (501) 620-1402.

Special Olympics Basketball Tournament

ARKADELPHIA — The Special Olympics Basketball Tournament and Individual Skills Competition will be held today on the campus of Ouachita Baptist University. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. in the Sturgis Physical Education Center, followed by the games and activities. Award ceremonies will take place at noon. Admission is free. For more information, contact Mike Reynolds at (870) 245-5188 or reynoldsm@obu.edu.

Genealogy Help

BRYANT — Steve Perdue, head of genealogy and local history at the Saline County Library, will be available to answer genealogy questions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Mabel Boswell Memorial Library. To make an appointment, call (501) 778-4766.

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Hot Springs Village Concert Association will present the fourth of its five shows for the season at 7:30 p.m. today and Friday at the Village’s Woodlands Auditorium. The Irish Sopranos, a trio of internationally known vocalists, will present a concert of wide-ranging styles. For ticket information, call Jim Berdahl at (501) 922-6539, or visit www.HSVConcertsAssoc.org or www.hsvwoodlands.com.

Feb. 21-25

Harrison, TX

ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist University’s department of theater arts will present the spring production, Harrison, TX, in Ouachita’s Verser Theatre today through Monday. The series of one-act plays by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Horton Foote will include Blind Date, The Dancers and Spring Dance, all of which are set in the fictional town of Harrison, Texas. Performances will be at 7:30 each evening, except for Sunday, which will feature a 2:30 p.m. matinee. Tickets are $8 each and are available for purchase at www.obu.edu/boxoffice.

Feb. 22

Christian Counseling Conference

ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist University’s Pruet School of Christian Studies will host its annual conference on Issues in Christian Counseling on Friday. The event, which will focus on “The Caregiver Confronting Abuse,” is co-hosted by Henderson State University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. The conference provides participants with an opportunity to receive Continuing Education units for the sessions they attend. Students, mental-health professionals, nurses, social workers and pastors are encouraged to attend. For fees and registration, visit www.tinyurl.com/iccc2013, or contact Tracey Knight at knightte@obu.edu or (870) 245-5599.

Youth United Fundraiser

BRYANT — On Friday, Ruby Tuesday in Bryant will donate 20 percent of checks presented with a Habitat for Humanity Youth United flyer to the organization. Call (501) 315-5434 to get a flyer to participate in the fundraiser.

Feb. 22-23

Vocal Competition and Conference

ARKADELPHIA — Ouachita Baptist University will host the National Association of Teachers of Singing conference and vocal competition for the state of Arkansas on Friday and Saturday. The conference will feature guest artist Josh Shaw, an alumnus of OBU’s Division of Music. More than 300 students from across the state will attend the event, as well as more than 35 singing teachers. Shaw will lead a master class and a hands-on instructional session. Shaw will give a recital at 7 p.m. Friday in McBeth Recital Hall, and the master class will be at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, also in the recital hall. For more information, visit www.natssouthern.com.

Feb. 23

Sweetheart Pageant

MALVERN — The 14th annual Sweetheart Pageant and Talent Competition will be held at 1 p.m. at the Boys and Girls Club of Malvern and Hot Spring County. For more information, call (501) 467-4606 or email hscsweetheart@yahoo.com.

Feb. 24

Sunday Dinner Fundraiser

GURDON — The Central Arkansas Development Council Gurdon Senior Activity Center will hold a Sunday Dinner Fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the center, 410 E. Main St. The public is invited to attend. The dinner will include turkey and dressing, candied yams, English peas, cranberry sauce, rolls, Caribbean coconut cake, iced tea and coffee. The dinner is $7 per person, dine-in or carry-out. Proceeds will benefit the CADC Gurdon Senior Center Meals for Seniors program. For more information, call Royce Ann Barbaree at (870) 353-2095.

Feb. 25

Movie Monday

BENTON — A movie specifically selected for ages 12 and younger will be shown at 4 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. Popcorn and drinks will be provided. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

Griefshare Support Group

BENTON — A GriefShare recovery seminar and support group will begin at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Benton. The group will meet in the church parlor, on the corner of Market and Sevier streets. GriefShare is a 13-week support group that includes a weekly video featuring experts on grief and recovery. The seminar sessions include “The Journey of Grief,” The Effects of Grief” and “Stuck in Grief.” For more information, call Gail Lavender at (501) 590-7994 or the church office at (501) 778-3601.

ARKADELPHIA — The Arkadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Business After Hours from 5-7 p.m. at Arkadelphia High School. The event will be led by New Tech ninth-grade students who will provide interactive tours for guests. For more information, call (870) 246-5542.

Feb. 27

Book Club

BENTON — Those who are 18 or older are invited to join a monthly book club at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. This month’s selection is The Last Policeman, by Ben H. Winters. For more information, call (501)778-4766.

Overdrive: Kindle Devices

BENTON — Adults 18 and older are invited to learn how to transfer e-books from the Saline County Library’s eLibrary onto Kindle devices at 6 p.m. at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. The class will focus on how to download library titles only. Participants must have an Amazon account created before attending the class. Attendance is first-come, first-served. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

Ongoing

AARP Tax Help

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — AARP Foundation Tax Aide volunteers are available from noon to 5 p.m. every Wednesday through April 10 at the Coronado Community Center. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide is available free to taxpayers with low and moderate incomes, with special attention to those 60 and older. The service is offered in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service. For more information, contact the Coronado Community Center office at (501) 922-5050.

Volunteer Firefighter Applications

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Property Owners’ Association Department of Public Safety is recruiting volunteer firefighters. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid Arkansas driver’s license and a clean driving record. Applicants must also be able to meet minimum volunteer-firefighter training qualifications, attend scheduled meetings and respond to fires. For more information, contact Capt. Jason Miller at (501) 922-2210. Applications are available at the Cortez Fire Station, 110 Cortez Road in Hot Springs Village.

Village Volunteer Auxiliary

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Property Owners’ Association Board of Directors is creating a volunteer auxiliary, consisting of Hot Springs Village volunteers who are willing to assist their association.

Whatever the area of expertise, consider becoming part of this auxiliary, called the Vocation Volunteer Interest Program. The group is also seeking experts at coordinating volunteers. For more information, email sbowen@hsvpoa.org.

Scholarship Donations Accepted

BRYANT — The 2013 Bryant Area Chamber of Commerce is accepting donations from companies to provide scholarships for students with at least a 2.75 grade-point average, as well as demonstrated financial need and community service. Companies can donate $500 for a full scholarship, $250 for a scholarship shared with another sponsor or $100 shared with four other sponsors. The deadline for support is April 1. The scholarships will be awarded in an assembly the first Friday of May at Bryant High School. Donors will be invited to send a company representative to give the certificate of award to the student. For more information, email raeann@bryantcahmber.com.

Free Tax Preparation

The Central Arkansas Development Council is offering free tax-preparation assistance in Saline, Hot Spring and Clark counties. In Clark County, services will be at the Huie Library at Henderson State University, 1100 Henderson St. in Arkadelphia. For an appointment, call (870) 867-0151. In Hot Spring County, services will be at the Malvern/Hot Spring County Library, 202 E. Third St. in Malvern. For an appointment, call (501) 332-5441. In Saline County, services will be at the CADC Senior Activity Center, 210 Jefferson in Benton. The site is open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, and walk-ins are accepted. Services will be offered by appointment only at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library, 1800 Smithers Drive in Benton. For an appointment, call (501) 778-1133.

Free Community Classes

ARKADELPHIA — Henderson State University’s Ellis College of Arts and Sciences will offer free classes for the Arkadelphia community this spring. All classes will meet at 4 p.m. in the Reynolds Science Center, Room 127. Today, Wayne McGinnis, professor of English, will lecture on Historical Aspects of the Game of Golf. On Feb. 28, science faculty members Martin Campbell, Vince Dunlap, Tommy Finley and Allison Harris will discuss the 2012 Nobel Prize winners. On March 7, Mary Beth Trubitt will discuss an upcoming archeological dig in the Ouachita National Forest. On March 14, David Bateman and Vince Dunlap will present Antibiotic Resistance: Are You Doing Your Part to Prevent It? For more information, call Linda Mooney at (870) 230-5320.

AARP Tax-Aide Service

BENTON — Free preparation of tax returns, including free E-filing, will be offered for people of all ages from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays at an AARP Tax-Aide site at Midtowne Church, 4037 Boone Road in Benton. AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest, free, volunteer-run tax counseling and preparation service. The site will provide continuing tax services to taxpayers who have attended the Park Place Baptist site in the past. Walk-ins are welcome but will be served after those with appointments. To schedule an appointment, call Larry at (501) 303-6829.

Sister City Teacher Scholarships

HOT SPRINGS — The Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation will accept applications until March 25 for two teacher scholarships for summer travel to Hanamaki, Japan, Hot Springs’ sister city. Teachers or school administrators currently employed in Garland County public schools are eligible for the program. The scholarship will fully fund travel costs for a seven-day trip to Hanamaki in mid-June. The city of Hanamaki will provide home-stay arrangements, along with tours and educational opportunities. Application information is available through the Sister City Program link on the city of Hot Springs’ home page, www.cityhs.net.

Applications for LIHEAP

The Central Arkansas Development Council is accepting applications for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program at the following locations: The CADC Administration Building, 321 Edison St. in Benton, 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Wednesday, (501)778-1333; the Arkansas Workforce Center of Malvern, 1735 E. Sullenberger, 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Wednesday, (501) 337-8401; the CADC Arkadelphia Senior Activity Center, 1305 N. 10th St., 1-4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays, (870) 246-9871; and Gurdon City Hall, 103 Maple, 8 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, (870) 310-6971. LIHEAP assists households with home energy and heating bills. Eligible households must meet income guidelines and furnish proof of all income for the month prior to applying.

Junior Auxiliary Scholarships

HOT SPRINGS — The Junior Auxiliary of Hot Springs is accepting applications for the 2013 JAHS Scholarship program through March 1. Applications are available through area high school counselors or by visiting www.juniorauxiliaryofhotsprings.com and clicking on the “scholarship” link. The Junior Auxiliary gives emphasis to students majoring in a child-related field such as speech therapy, nursing, social work, teaching, etc. There is no age restriction for the scholarships. For more information, contact Mandy Golleher at (501) 620-2705 or mandy.golleher@npmchs.com.

Election Day Committee Applications

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Property Owners’ Association is soliciting applications from property owners in good standing who are willing to serve on the 2013 Election Day Committee, which oversees the ballot counting for the Hot Springs Village Board of Directors election. The ballots will be counted March 28. Applications are available online at www.hsvpoa.org or at the general manager’s office at the POA Administration Building, 895 DeSoto Blvd. Completed applications must be returned to the general manager’s office by March 1. For more information, call (501) 922-5530.

MALVERN — The Annual 4-H Auction will be held at 7 p.m. March 1 at the 4-H Youth Center, which is the old skating rink in Malvern. The public is invited to come out and bid. For more information or to donate items to the auction, call (501) 332-5267.

Fish and Chicken Dinner

MALVERN — St. Paul United Methodist Church in Malvern, at East Mill and Cherry Lane, will hold a fish and chicken dinner from 4-7 p.m. March 1. The dinners, which include a drink and homemade banana pudding, cost $11 for four pieces, $9 for two pieces and $5 for children 12 and younger. To place a carryout order, call (501) 337-7364.

Used Book Sale

BENTON — The Saline County Library Used Book Sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 1 and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 2 at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. The sale is open to the public; there is no admission charge. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

Art Exhibit and Reception

BENTON — The public is invited to attend an art reception honoring Carolyn Voss and her watercolor students from 1-3 p.m. March 2 at the Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library. Their works, some created during the watercolor classes at the Saline County Library, will be on display throughout March at the same location. For more information, call (501) 778-4766.

Merry Mixers Dance

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Merry Mixers Dance Club’s next dance will be at 7 p.m. March 2 at the Coronado Community Center. The dance will feature The Mullins Group. A dance lesson will be provided at 7 p.m., followed by dancing at 7:30. All dancers are welcome. For more information, call (501) 915-8111.

Toast and Roast of Darrel Teeter

MALVERN — The Hot Spring County Medical Foundation will hold its annual fundraiser to benefit Hot Spring County Medical Center. This year, the event will be a Toast and Roast of Darrel Teeter at 6 p.m. March 2 at the Lodge at Family Farm owned by the May family, 18448 U.S. 67, just outside Malvern. The evening will include dinner and silent and live auctions, with a car donated by Teeter Motors to be auctioned. Teeter, who has been in the car business for more than half of a century, moved to Malvern in 1967 when he took on a Chrysler dealership. He has shared his success by supporting many charities and causes, including his significant investment in youth programs. Tickets are $50. For more information, call Ann Gasper at (501) 332-7028.

A Flute Spa

ARKADELPHIA — The Hot Springs Flute Ensemble and Ouachita Baptist University will sponsor internationally known performer, teacher and clinician Patricia George in a workshop for flute players. The event, titled A Flute Spa, will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 2 at OBU. The preregistration fee is $30, and the deadline is Saturday. The fee at the door will be $35. Fee payments need to be made out to the Hot Springs Flute Ensemble and mailed to Marilyn Lihs, treasurer, 62 Promesa Drive, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909. For a registration form, visit www.HotSpringsFlutes.com. Participants are asked to bring their C flutes. A flute choir will meet at the end of the day to apply workshop concepts. For more information, contact Jackie Flowers at (501) 520-0306 or jjf313flow39 @cablelynx.com.

Henderson Choir Performances

ARKADELPHIA — Henderson State University choirs will present Music From the Commonwealth at 3 p.m. March 3 in the Russell Fine Arts recital hall. The performance will feature music originating in countries that are or once were part of the British Commonwealth, as well as student soloists. Admission is free and open to the public.

Habitat Collegiate Challenge

SALINE COUNTY — Habitat for Humanity will host college students from around the country during their spring break March 4-27. These students will work with Habitat for Humanity of Saline County on local build projects. Habitat is seeking volunteers to provide simple meals for 40 people for breakfast and lunch, or 20 people for dinner during that time. For more information, call (501) 315-5434.

A Night of Laughter

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Comedian Jeff Love will present A Night of Laughter at 7 p.m. March 5 at the Coronado Community Center. To purchase $10 general-admission tickets, visit www.hsvticketsales.com, call (501) 922-5050, or stop by the Coronado Community Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Public Forum

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — A public forum for the Property Owners’ Association Board candidates will be held from 2:30-4 p.m. March 6 at the Coronado Community Center. The forum is designed to inform property owners about the candidates before the election. Property owners can submit questions of general interest prior to the event via email at office@kvre.com or fax at (501) 922-6626, or mail to KVRE Forum, P.O. Box 8439, Hot Springs, AR 71910. Submissions should be received by March 1. Questions and comments will not be allowed from the audience during the event.

Ballet Arkansas Performance

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — Ballet Arkansas, the state’s only professional ballet company, will perform Beyond Category at the Woodlands Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. March 7. The show will feature 10 women and three men in a program of dances to an array of music. To purchase reserved-seat tickets, at $18 each, visit hsvticketsales.com, call (501) 922-4231, or stop by the Woodlands Box Office from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Odd Couple (Female Version)

BENTON — The Royal Players will present The Odd Couple (Female Version) by Neil Simon on March 7-10, as well as March 14-17, at the Royal Theatre in historic downtown Benton. Thursday through Saturday performances start at 7 p.m., and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. Audiences will likely recognize the original title from the famous play and movie. In 1985, Neil Simon revised The Odd Couple for a female cast. The female version is based on the same story line and the same lead characters, now called Florence Ungar and Olive Madison. Tickets are available online at theroyalplayers.com or may be purchased at the door. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $5 for students. No reservations are necessary.

McBeth Tribute

ARKADELPHIA — Celebrating the rich musical legacy of renowned composer W. Francis McBeth, Ouachita Baptist University will welcome the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra to the stage of Jones Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. March 8. The concert will feature music composed by McBeth, a longtime professor of music at Ouachita and former ASO conductor who died last year at age 78. Tickets for the tribute performance are $10 each or $5 each for groups of 10 or more and are available at www.obu.edu/boxoffice. For more information, call (870) 245-5555.

Developing Unique Characters

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Village Writers’ Club will host Developing Unique Characters, an interactive workshop on characterization led by Rolland Mann, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 9 at the Coronado Community Center. Topics will include creating compelling characters, as well as maintaining a consistent point of view. The registration fee is $35 before March 2 and $40 at the door. Lunch will be $10, or participants may bring their own. For more information, visit www.villagewritersclub.com or call (501) 915-0494.

Chili Day

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The Hot Springs Village Breakfast Lions will host a Chili Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4-7 p.m. March 9 at the Desota Event Center. The event will include a silent auction, all-you-can-eat chili, apple pie and a beverage. Tickets are $9 for adults and $4.50 for children younger than 12. For advanced tickets or more information, call (501) 226-5257.

College Goal Sunday

HOT SPRINGS — Financial-aid counselors will be at National Park Community College from 2-4 p.m. March 10 to help students and parents with the first step toward receiving grants and loans from the federal government to pay for college. College Goal Sunday is the culmination of Say Go College Week and an opportunity for free assistance in submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For more information about how to pay for college, visit ADHE.edu, SayGoCollege.com or ArCollegeGoalSunday.org.

Friends of HSV Annual Meeting

HOT SPRINGS VILLAGE — The annual meeting of the Friends of Hot Springs Village will be held at 7 p.m. March 11 in the Ouachita Room of the Woodlands. Keynote speakers will be Darin Beckwith and Andy Curry, superintendents of Fountain Lake and Jessieville schools, respectively. They will provide an update on the Fountain Lake lawsuit, joint acquisition of the Boys and Girls Club property, the Jessieville Foundation and academic performance at the schools. Friends of Hot Springs Village is an organization of resident and nonresident property owners dedicated to improving and maintaining the quality of life in the Village and providing support for the board of directors, staff and committees.

Daffodil Days Fundraiser

HOT SPRINGS — The 25th annual Garland County American Cancer Society’s Daffodil Days will be held from March 12-16. Orders of 50 or more daffodils will be delivered throughout the Hot Springs area on March 12. Smaller orders may be picked up from 8-10 a.m. that day from the National Park Medical Center’s Maurice Room. Volunteers will be selling daffodil bouquets, leis and boutonnieres at Oaklawn Park’s live race meet March 16, which will also feature the annual Daffodil Days Classic Race. Daffodils will be sold from 10 a.m. until they are sold out. To request an order form or for more information, call (501) 620-2705 or visit nationalparkmedical.com.

Shakespeare Auditions

BENTON — This year, Saline County Shakespeare in the Park will present The Tempest, by William Shakespeare. Auditions will be held at 10 a.m. March 16 and at 5 p.m. March 17 in the outdoor auditorium at Tyndall Park. Auditioners need to prepare a 1 1/2-minute monologue. If not, some will be available at the auditions. Cold reads from the script will also be required. For more information, contact Lisa Goodrich at (501) 249-3169 or lisagoodrich1980@yahoo.com.

Reel Women Festival

BENTON — Reel Arkansas, a nonprofit group based on Facebook, has scheduled the 2013 Reel Women Festival for 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 30 at the Royal Theatre in Benton. The festival aims to include films from Tennessee and Mississippi, as well as Arkansas. Two of the films are Sarah Jones’ John Wayne’s Bed and G.B. Shannon’s FreshSkweezed. In addition to film screenings, the festival will have a panel discussion on women in film, with several of the filmmakers in attendance. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. For more information, find Reel Arkansas at facebook.com/groups/101481596615960. The festival is seeking submissions of films that feature strong or atypical female roles, as well as films written or directed by women. Submissions are free, and the deadline is March 15. Email Jennifer Mazzacane at jennifer@reelarkansas.com or reelarkansas@gmail.com.

To submit a school or community event for the Tri-Lakes Calendar of Events, mail information to Calendar of Events, Tri-Lakes Edition, P.O. Box 2221, Little Rock, AR, 72203; fax to (501) 378-3500; or email to tlnews@arkansasonline.com. Deadlines for calendar-item submissions are noon Friday for Thursday editions and noon Tuesday for Sunday editions.